Inter were held 2-2 by Napoli at San Siro, leaving the title race tight with Inter top on 43 points. Betting angle: draw and both teams to score look attractive in future big-city clashes; punts on Inter to avoid defeat or Napoli on Asian handicap +0 could offer value given the clubs' recent run of stalemates.
Inter 2-2 Napoli at San Siro keeps Scudetto race wide open
A pulsating Serie A encounter at San Siro finished 2-2 as Federico Dimarco’s early strike was cancelled out by Scott McTominay, Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty to restore Inter’s lead, and McTominay struck again to level. Inter remain top with 43 points, but the result underlined defensive vulnerabilities and left the title race finely poised.
Match summary and key incidents
Federico Dimarco opened the scoring with a well-taken angled drive that put Inter ahead inside the opening exchanges. Napoli’s immediate response saw Scott McTominay equalise after capitalising on an Inter error in build-up play. A contentious penalty awarded to Inter allowed Hakan Calhanoglu to put the hosts back in front, but McTominay’s close-range finish made it 2-2. Inter thought they might snatch it late, only for a stoppage-time attempt to hit the woodwork.
Bastoni: positives despite mistakes
Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni admitted the side “should’ve done better” on both Napoli goals but urged a positive reading of the result. He praised the team’s mentality and sharpness compared to earlier in the season and acknowledged Napoli’s quality, stressing that small details decided the match.
Tactical takeaways
Inter showed improved tempo and attacking intent but were punished by lapses in concentration at key moments. Napoli’s quick, high-quality transitions exposed gaps in the home defence. Set-piece and defensive organisation errors remain concerns for Inter, while Napoli demonstrated resilience and clinical finishing when chances arose.
What this means for the title race
The draw leaves the top of Serie A unchanged: Inter on 43, Milan on 40 and Napoli on 39 (Roma and Juventus closing in on 39 as well). All three leading teams still have matches in hand, keeping the Scudetto race extremely competitive. The result reinforces that big fixtures are likely to stay tight and unpredictable.
Betting outlook: markets to consider
Given the outcome and recurring closeness between these sides, punters might prioritise markets such as draw and both teams to score (BTTS). Inter’s defensive lapses make backing BTTS appealing, while Inter to avoid defeat or Napoli on Asian handicap +0 could be value plays in similarly tight derby-style fixtures. For moments-based bets, late-game attempts and shots on target for key attackers could also be worth monitoring in live markets.
Manna: ‘Inter vs. Napoli an important crossroads for the title race’
Alessandro Bastoni admits Inter ‘should’ve done better’ on both Napoli goals, but insists the 2-2...
Football Italia
